Pastor's Blog

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

The church office remains closed today.  Should an emergency arise, contact Bro. Abel.

Keith Barrett had successful surgery this week as they removed a skin cancer.  Keith has about as much faith as any person I have ever known personally.  He and Aninha are a great couple and a vital part of the Friendship family.

Tina Sprinkle’s father is in the hospital and will be there for about two weeks.  God has already answered some prayers in his situation and we give God the glory.  Keep praying!

As it presently stands, we will be on a regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 11/22.  The auditorium and Preschool Building will be professionally disinfected prior to Sunday morning.  Other measures will be put in place to help prevent the potential spread of the virus.

There will be no Thanksgiving boxes given away this Sunday.  Obviously, there will be no putting together of those boxes on Saturday morning.  Please pass the word.

My yesterday on GRACE Mountain consisted of three meetings and all three were productive.  We offered a job at Colegio JET to a new teacher, worked through a situation with an employee, and met with a couple of parents who want to get their children involved in Colegio JET.

Lord willing, I will be traveling home today leaving this afternoon and arriving home tonight.  Pray for me to have safety in my travels.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no services/classes/activities on our campus this morning or evening.  Obviously, we have a few folks within the Friendship family who have been diagnosed with the virus.  The plan is to have some of the buildings professionally cleaned and sanitized before Sunday.

Also, the church office will be closed today and tomorrow.

It is 3:00AM and, after prayer, thought and consideration, I have just reached this decision.  So, I need your help in getting the word out to others.  Use your social media platforms to let folks know, please.

Pray for one another!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Judy Hall is in the hospital.  Yancey asks that we pray for her.

Bro. Jerry will be packing the Thanksgiving food boxes this Saturday, 11/21, beginning at 8:00AM.  Anyone willing to help is asked to simply come the Preschool Building.  He will also need help following the 10:30AM service this Sunday, 11/22.

The team in Guatemala spent yesterday hosting soccer clinics under Bro. Abel’s leadership.  I am not a fan of soccer but I was present from 9:00AM until 3:30PM.  When the day was over I thought, “I am still not a fan of soccer!”  LOL!

Everyone except me will fly home today.  Pray for them to have safety in their travels.  Three going to Mobile and one to Kalamazoo.

I want to say again what a great job Soy & Deidra have done leading this team.  I thank God for them and their leadership.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Happy belated ninety third birthday to Miss Kittie Camp.  Yesterday, 11/15, was her birthday.  Miss Kittie is the oldest member of the Friendship family.  I thank God for Miss Kittie!

Bro. Jerry wrote to say that the services at Friendship were good yesterday.  I appreciate those who attended.

The team in Guatemala is doing well and had a good weekend.  They provided breakfast to the folks working at the dump on Friday morning and then built three houses.  Saturday saw three soccer clinics take place and all of the contents from the container be put into the proper storage areas.  Sunday saw morning devotion, church service, home visits and a fellowship for the youth from the church.  Larry Crawley, Ross Genzink, Lisa & Gina all flew home yesterday.  They arrived home safe and sound  last night.  We missed them immediately!

Today will see the culmination of the soccer clinics.  There will also be some instructional time with the teachers at Colegio JET.  Personally, I am being punished as I am having to attend the soccer clinics!  They will probably serve liver for lunch!

Soy & Deidra have done an awesome job of coordinating the ministry for this team.  It just seems to come natural to them but I know it is a God given ability.  I am proud of them.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Today marks the sixty fourth wedding anniversary of my parents.  Of course, this is the first time in those years that one parent has not been present as dad passed from this life in May.  I am sure this will be a day of reflection for mama.  Thoughts and prayers appreciated.

I am going with the “no news is good news” as far as the home front is concerned.

“Caring for Castlen” is the Friendship family’s emphasis during November.  Tennis shoes, socks and underwear are the most needed items.  Bring any donations of these items (new) and place them in the auditorium foyer.  Missions begin at home and this is a wonderful opportunity for the Friendship family to show this fact.

On GRACE Mountain our Thursday began with a delicious breakfast cooked by my wife, Lisa.  She out did herself as he cooked biscuits with plain flour.  Gravy, a hash brown casserole and fruit made for a very good and filling meal.  The girl can cook!

We had a brief devotion and then the work began.  Ross, Larry & the Rifleman began working in the upstairs bathrooms.  All of the leaks were identified and those that had not been repaired already by Soy & crew were taken care of the terrific trio.

Bro. Abel led several other teams members in hosting two soccer clinics that involved around ninety children.  I am told that the clinics were a success.

The container arrived and was in position to be unloaded shorty after 3:00PM.  The truck could not go up the hill so it parked below at the school gate.  The items were off loaded into trucks and then driven up the hill to the school cafeteria.  It was completely unloaded at 4:20PM.  Thank God that is now behind us and thank Him for getting it here safe and sound.  By the way, it was right on time.  Is that not just like God?

The team enjoyed supper at Las Antorchas.  Upon returning to the mission house, the team mixed and poured concrete in the four upstairs bathrooms finishing shortly after 11:00PM.

Today will be breakfast, devotion, feeding the men working on the mountain, feeding the folks working in the Chimaltenango dump, building three houses and continuing the plumbing work in the mission house.  Pray that all goes well.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Good morning from GRACE Mountain!  I have some good news from here that I will share later in this entry.

Bro. Jerry shared with me that the celebration of life service for Miss Mena went well.  Thank you to all who prayed, attended the visitation and/or service, cooked food, helped in any way with the feeding of the family, et cetera.  I do want to say what great church members and friends Junior & Anna Carol Bosarge have been over the past forty two years.  Miss Mena can be proud of the person that her son, Junior, is.  I have always been able to count on Junior!  Thank God for men like Junior Bosarge!

Miss Cora Martin has suffered a series of mini strokes and was taken by ambulance to the hospital.  She was being kept in the ER until they can get a room for her.  They will then do a series of tests.  Pray for Miss Cora, Clara Broadus, and the family.

Carol Lucky was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Not sure if that happened.  Keep praying!

Sharon Jardee’s wound has completely healed!  She is praising the Lord and giving God the glory!  Keep praying for Sharon!

Sonny Bates had his second cataract surgery yesterday.  A little more stinging this time around but all in all he is doing well.  Pray for Sonny!

“Caring for Castlen” is our emphasis during November!  Friendship family, please bring new tennis shoes, socks, underwear, for elementary age children.  Place the bags of these items in the foyer of our auditorium.  Thank you for praying and for giving!

Now for news from GRACE Mountain – the first four team members arrived uneventfully around 4:00PM yesterday.  No problems.  They even arrived with an extra suitcase!  Pray as we try to locate the person missing their luggage!  Lisa and Deidra have placed numerous phone calls but no success thus far!

Ross & the Rifleman arrived safe and sound around 8:00PM last night.  So, all six folks had a good day of travel.  We give God the praise!

We received the news we have been waiting on yesterday morning – the container has been released and has been moved from the port.  Hallelujah.  We waited all day for a final cost of renting space at the port.  That had to be paid before the container could be released to come to GRACE Mountain.  That total was given to us a little after 5:00PM and Chino Galindo rushed to the bank and made the transfer.  So, the container is scheduled to arrive on GRACE Mountain this morning.  Pray that happens!  We give God the glory and thank Mike Parker & Fernando for their help.  Their help has been huge!

Our Thursday will begin with breakfast cooked by my wife, Lisa, followed by a devotional time in the upper room.  Ross & Larry will then get busy replumbing the second level.  We will unload the container as soon as it arrives.  It promises to be a good and productive day.  Pray to that end.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Happy ninth birthday to our granddaughter, Lizzi!  Lisa and I are blessed to be in Guatemala in order to celebrate with her today. Lizzi has adapted very well to living in Guatemala, is bilingual, and is a great big sister to her younger two sisters.  I hope Lizzi has a great day today!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Many thanks to the Veterans who are members of the Friendship family along with all other Veterans.  We salute you and appreciate your service to our country!

The visitation with the Mena Bosarge family takes place in our auditorium this morning from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  Pray for Junior, Jennifer and the rest of the family.

“Caring for Castlen” is our emphasis for the rest of this month!  Please bring tennis shoes, socks, underwear, et cetera and place them in the foyer of the auditorium.  Have questions?  Contact Daphne Hutto or Amy Huhn.

Larry Crawley, Witney Edwards, Bro. Abel Garcia, Ross Genzink, Nate Miersma and Amy Reynolds will board flights this morning in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo & Mobile heading to Guatemala City.  Pray for their travel experiences to be seamless.

The container still has not left the port.  Pray that it can leave today or tomorrow.

Lisa and I arrived on GRACE mountain safe and sound yesterday afternoon.  It was so good to see Gina, Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey.  Thank you for praying us through!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

This entry will be short and sweet as Lisa and I are sitting in the Mobile airport about to board a Delta flight to Atlanta.

Cecil Guidry was discharged from the hospital late yesterday morning.  She is doing good and has such a positive attitude.  Keep praying!

Carol Lucky was admitted to the hospital.  Keep praying for Carol.

Max Peacock continues to recover at home.  It is a slowly but surely process for Max.  He too has a great outlook.  Pray for Max.

I posted the obit for Junior Bosarge’s mother.  No morning service on our campus tomorrow.  The visitation with the Bosarge family takes place from 11:00AM until the noon service.  If you can help with the feeding of the family, contact Tina Wilkinson.

We had seven folks take the COVID test yesterday in preparation of going to Guatemala.  Lisa and I both tested negative and are heading out today.  The others all are scheduled to depart tomorrow.  Delta actually took the flight to Guatemala City off the board for tomorrow which affected three of our team members.  The Lord blessed and they are all back on schedule just in a different way.  Pray for the others to get negative test results today and for all of us to have safe travels.  Pray that Delta accepts our test results and will let us board today in Atlanta.  If they do not, pray for the gate agent.  I am not responsible for Lisa’s actions!

Remember, we are “Caring for Castlen!”  We need items brought to the church either tomorrow night or Sunday.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Mena Louise Golemon Bosarge Johnson, age 89, a resident of Irvington, AL, passed away Nov 7, 2020. Born June 11, 1931 and died Saturday, November 7, 2020, she was a longtime member of Coden United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Brasille Golemon and Susie Williams Golemon; husband, Clarence Levi Bosarge; sister, Susie Annette Higgins; brothers, William Golemon, Curtis Golemon, Ollie Golemon, and baby brother, Charles Golemon. She is survived by her husband, David Johnson; step-son, Dave Johnson (Amanda); sons, Clarence Levi Bosarge, Jr. (Anna Carol) and Jimmy Bosarge; daughter, Beverly Bosarge Johnson (Randy); brothers, Shereley Golemon (Linda), Morris Golemon, Dave Golemon, Bobby Golemon, and Troy Golemon (Betty); grandchildren, Samantha Johnson Gray, Jennifer Johnson Everett (Matthew), Krista Johnson Stacey (Richard), Brent Bosarge (Le Anne), Nicholas Bosarge (Colleen), Aaron Bosarge (Bridgett), Dennis Bosarge (Amanda), Jeffrey Bosarge, and Shane Bosarge (Cassie); special niece, Mena Golemon Carmen (James); other nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends. Pallbearers are grandsons, Brent Bosarge, Nicholas Bosarge, Aaron Bosarge Andy Bosarge, Shane Bosarge, and Jeffrey Bosarge. Funeral service will be held at Friendship Baptist Church, Grand Bay, AL on Wednesday, November, 2020 at 12 PM with visitation at 11 AM. Interment will be held in Odd Fellow Cemetery.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Junior Bosarge’s mother passed from this life this past Saturday afternoon.  The family will be meeting with the funeral home today to make arrangements.  This is also Jennifer Everett’s grandmother.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Cecil Guidry remains hospitalized.  She is doing well but has hit a couple of “bumps” in the road.  She “may” be discharged today.  If not, most likely tomorrow.  Keep praying for Cecil.

Received a call last night around 9:30PM saying that Carol Lucky was being transported by ambulance to the hospital as she was having difficulty breathing.  Pray for Carol & Terry.

Angela Bentley’s father suffered a heart attack and is in the hospital.  The owner of the company where Eddie Albritton works suffered a heart attack yesterday and is in the hospital.  This is his second heart attack in recent weeks.  Pray for these two gentlemen.

Larry Crawley, Witney Edwards, Bro. Abel Garcia & Amy Reynolds are all scheduled to leave this Wednesday heading to Guatemala.  Ross Genzink from Michigan is also scheduled to depart on Wednesday.  Our daughter, Gina, is already in Guatemala.  Lisa and I are scheduled to fly out tomorrow.

So, all seven of us will be getting nasal swabs today.  Pray that we will all test negative which will allow us to make the trip.

I cannot emphasize enough how gracious and helpful Todd Stork has been in getting us tested.  Todd is one of the finest young men I know.  Always has been such a gracious spirit.  He and Jim Holland are directly responsible for Lisa and I being able to get our test and results today.  The others will get their test results tomorrow afternoon.  Thank you, Todd, for your spirit of helpfulness!

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  The freedom to preach was abundant.  Thank you Jesus.

Hurricane Eta has delayed the container in Guatemala being taken to GRACE mountain due to the road conditions.  Pray for it to be moved within the next day or so.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.